In The News
CBS Channel 11 Features Dr. Tebbetts and 24 Hour Recovery in a special news story
Since the design of the first silicone breast implant in the 1960's, there has been no major developments with the device... until now. An Oak Cliff plastic surgeon has created what he says is the most studied breast implant ever.
For more than 40 years Janet Liljestrand has fought hard to stay fit. She works out every day and lifts weights, but she says the weight on one body part just 'wouldn't budge'. So the former gymnast, now wife and mother of two, started stashing money in her sock drawer to pay for breast augmentation surgery.
"I just want to feel good about myself," Janet explained. "The only part of a woman's body you cannot change by exercising and eating is your breasts."
As Janet did her homework, researching the various implants and techniques, she learned about the new "Style 410" breast implant; developed by Oak Cliff Plastic Surgeon John Tebbetts.
The "410B" is the only implant in history that stimulated the development of techniques that allow us to let people recover in 24 hours and be out to dinner the night of surgery," Tebbetts said proudly.
The 410, otherwise known as the 'Gummy Bear Implant', is a shaped, form-stable, cohesive gel implant. If the latter is cut, Tebbetts explained, it will not move around as much as an implant with liquid gel.
According to Tebbetts, the 410 is the most studied implant ever; first studied in Europe for 15 years and now in its ninth year of study in the United States.
The implant is only available under the watchful eye of 150 participating U.S. surgeons and requires a 10 year-commitment from patients to provide long-term data to the Food and Drug Administration.
"I designed this to make it better for the patient," said Tebbetts. "One, make a device that lasts longer so they have fewer re-operations through their lifetime. Two, when the shell fails, the gel filler is less likely to migrate anywhere. And three, make a device that has a lower complication and reoperation rate."
CBS 11 News followed Janet into surgery, and through recovery, to see the 410's results -- and if the 24 hour recovery time was realistic. The surgery lasted roughly 20 minutes and there was little to no bleeding. During the procedure Tebbetts inserted the style 410's through small incisions under Janet's breast folds, and sealed them with internal stitches. After the procedure, Janet headed home.
Six hours after surgery, CBS 11 News visited Janet at her Plano home. By that time, she had showered, put on makeup, fixed her hair; and most to our surprise, was outside cleaning her pool. At that time Janet said the only pain medication she'd taken was ibuprofen. "I have no pain at all," she said. "This is exactly how I wanted to feel. This is exactly why I did this. I feel beautiful."
According to Dr. Tebbetts, the rapid recovery is also possible with other implants, provided specific surgical techniques are used.
The 410 implant has not yet received FDA approval, but that could come soon. And prepare to pay; the 410s are expected to cost more than other implants. (© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Read the Article On CBS 11 Web Site